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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To return a toy we bought 2 days ago just because it's AWFUL!

119 replies

heyhey11 · 27/07/2025 08:01

What the title says really,

Bought DC a toy from smyths he'd been saving up for, for ages.. it was £50 so not cheap for a toy and it's just shocking. He's been so looking forward to it and even he's saying I don't want it anymore, it's broken etc which isn't like him.

It transforms into a few different things and it's just awful, held on by latches and keeps coming open so when he's playing with it in a certain mode it just falls apart! Plus it's not user friendly at all. All the characters have like holes in feet and back so they can sit on the chairs etc (like Lego characters do) but the chairs and stuff don't have any connectors. In turn the toys just go everywhere and fall off. He's trying to carefully play with it bless him but as you can imagine one slight move and they all fling off. Meltdown central 🙃

Anyway I'm kind of pissed off, 1. He was so looking forward to it and it's awful, 2. It was £50! And now it's sat in the corner of my room. Should I take it back and explain? Or will they just tell me to bugger off because it's not actually faulty I guess. Just poorly designed?

Try to Return?
Or sketch it down to a waste of money and hope he plays with it again

OP posts:
MuggleMe · 27/07/2025 08:02

Oh return it for sure. It's not fit for purpose.

GoFaster83 · 27/07/2025 08:08

I would take it back. You can but ask. If it had been a cheap toy I'd chalk it up to experience but £50 isn't pocket money. How old is your dc? Perhaps they could help explain to a staff member -that might help tug on some heart strings!

Needspaceforlego · 27/07/2025 08:10

I'd try to return it. Poor kid.

Original poster
heyhey11 · 27/07/2025 08:16

Thanks everyone,

Yeah that's what I thought £50 is a lot! We've bought toys for 15-20 before and they've been a bit disappointing and we've obviously just let it go and given them away or popped them on Vinted.

He's 5, just turned. Been saving up for it since may. He gets a fiver off his nana every week and he's been popping it in his box most weeks to save for it!

I think we'll try and return. Although guessing they'll tell me to bugger off! Hopefully we get a nice member of staff hahaha!

OP posts:
BunnyLake · 27/07/2025 08:19

I’d return it to the shop but if they refuse then contact the manufacturer as it’s them, not the shop, who are actually at fault. Good luck! I remember the disappointment and annoyance of my kids toys that turned out to be expensive rubbish.

DublinLaLaLa · 27/07/2025 08:20

What’s the toy?!

Neeeemo · 27/07/2025 08:20

Please tell us what toy it is so we don't buy it 😅

MuddlerInLaw · 27/07/2025 08:22

No one needs to tug on heartstrings.

Either the thing you’ve bought is fit for purpose or it’s not. If it can’t be played with and enjoyed in a reasonable or customary way then it is not fit for purpose.

You have the protection of the Sale of Goods Act , and Consumer Rights law.

So unless the difficulty is that you’re doing something wrong or not playing with the thing in the normal way (!) - take it back for a full refund.

Needspaceforlego · 27/07/2025 08:23

MuddlerInLaw · 27/07/2025 08:22

No one needs to tug on heartstrings.

Either the thing you’ve bought is fit for purpose or it’s not. If it can’t be played with and enjoyed in a reasonable or customary way then it is not fit for purpose.

You have the protection of the Sale of Goods Act , and Consumer Rights law.

So unless the difficulty is that you’re doing something wrong or not playing with the thing in the normal way (!) - take it back for a full refund.

Edited

2 days says in the title.

Edit sorry I quoted the wrong person

MuddlerInLaw · 27/07/2025 08:24

😅 Not the wrong person but I’d already edited! (Had been distracted and forgotten what I’d read.)

youalright · 27/07/2025 08:24

Take it back and buy something else

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 27/07/2025 08:25

What was the suggested age?

WrylyAmused · 27/07/2025 08:27

As pp says, look up Consumer Rights Act 2015 (use AI if you can't be bothered to read the actual legislation) and get informed on your rights. It's not fit for purpose and you're entitled to a refund.

Being informed is always useful in case you get an uninformed or unhelpful member of staff.

But don't leave it too long as there is generally a 30 day time limit.

Littletreefrog · 27/07/2025 08:28

Can you tell us the toy so others don't make the same mistake? I think Smyths will tell you to take it up with the manufacturer as it isn't actually faulty but it's definitely worth a conversation with them to see what the best route is.

Newstartplease24 · 27/07/2025 08:30

tell us what the toy is and who made it! I’m going to guess it’s by Character Options. What are the characters?

herbalteabag · 27/07/2025 08:30

Take it back. It doesn't do what it is supposed to and can't be played with properly.

Digdongdoo · 27/07/2025 08:31

Absolutely take it back. It's clearly not fit for purpose.

AllHoityToity · 27/07/2025 08:38

I would go in with the attitude that it’s not fit for purpose and you are returning it. Don’t mention the saving up etc as it might sound like he’s changed his mind.

ViaRia01 · 27/07/2025 08:40

I’m interested to know what the toy is.

I think if he is working the right age range for the toy, it wiuld be reasonable to take it back or at least try. Don’t say it’s crap, or too expensive, or it breaks easily - say it is not fit for purpose.

EasternStandard · 27/07/2025 08:43

I’m interested too, what’s the toy?

Coffeeishot · 27/07/2025 08:46

What a shame he must be so dissapointed take it back and he can pick something else.

MrsRobinsonsHandprints · 27/07/2025 08:48

BunnyLake · 27/07/2025 08:19

I’d return it to the shop but if they refuse then contact the manufacturer as it’s them, not the shop, who are actually at fault. Good luck! I remember the disappointment and annoyance of my kids toys that turned out to be expensive rubbish.

This isn't true. You have a contract with the seller. Look at the consumer rights act and citizens advice.

deb6789 · 27/07/2025 08:52

I would also say not fit for purpose. Also sounds like the parts might be dangerous?

BruceAndNosh · 27/07/2025 08:57

I'm dying to know what this useless thing actually is!

Onyuk100 · 27/07/2025 09:00

We returned a toy nerf gun before that was similar and absolutely useless not actually broken but kept getting stuck. They refunded no issues and said multiple people were returning